IIT Ropar and IIT Madras enter into great strategic partnership

IIT Ropar and IIT Madras have signed an MoU to establish a strategic partnership.

This partnership would enable IITM BS Degree (Data Science and Applications) students to take campus courses at IIT Ropar with a pathway to MS admission.

This partnership will also facilitate the completion of IITM BS Degree credits by taking courses at IIT Ropar, say sources from IIT Madras.

MoU

MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed on 28 August 2024 by Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, and Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar.

The MoU signing was witnessed by Prof. Pushpendra P. Singh, Dean (R&D), IIT Ropar, Prof. Sudarshan Iyengar, Head, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Ropar.

Also present were Prof Prathap Haridoss, Dean (Academic Courses), IIT Madras, Prof. Andrew Thangaraj and Prof. Vignesh Muthuvijayan, Coordinators, BS Degree, IIT Madras, and other faculty.

Highlights

The Highlights of the collaboration between IIT Ropar and IIT Madras include:

Ø Direct admission for select IITM BS (Data Science) Degree Students to the MS program at IIT Ropar without GATE

Ø IITM BS Degree Students can spend upto a year at IIT Ropar

Ø IITM BS Degree Students can apply for Research Programs offered by IIT Ropar in the summer

Ø IITM BS Degree Students can pursue projects and internships under IIT Ropar faculty

Director of IIT Madras

Director of IIT Madras spoke about new opportunities opened up by this collaboration.

Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, as the BS degree programs of IIT Madras intends to democratise higher educational opportunity for all.

This move by IIT Ropar to admit exceptional students in the BS programs of IITM to postgraduate degree programs at IIT Ropar is a very visionary step and will go a long way in building strong careers for deserving students especially from Rural India, he said.

I congratulate and thank the Director of IITRPR for the same. I hope other Higher educational institutions in our country shall also follow the IITRPR path, he said.

Director of IIT Ropar

Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IITRPR, said, “As we embark on this exciting journey, we are laying the groundwork for transformative advancements in education and research.

By joining forces, IITRPR and IIT Madras are not only broadening our academic and research horizons.

It will also be creating opportunities for our students and faculty to engage in meaningful exchanges that foster both professional and personal growth, he said.

‘This partnership is set to forge new paths in higher education and research, establishing new benchmarks for success.’

Course

IIT Madras introduced its 4-year BS in Data Science and Applications in June 2020. This unique program offers high-quality training through online content delivery and in-person assessments.

As on date, more than 30,000 students are actively involved in this program, contributing to a vibrant and interactive learning environment.

Working

IIT Madras has been working closely with other premier institutions in the country to enable in-person learning opportunities for students at the final year of the program.

IIT Gandhinagar and Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI) have already opened their campus courses for eligible students of the IIT Madras BS (Data Science) degree.

Benefits

Prof. Vignesh Muthuvijayan, Coordinator, BS Degree, IIT Madras spoke about the benefits of the collaboration.

Such collaborations will significantly enhance opportunities for both students and faculty, he said.

Our BS (Data Science) students, who have been learning virtually, can now take advantage of this opportunity to experience in-person learning and engage more directly with their peers and instructors, he said.

Exciting Opportunity

Prof. Sudarshan Iyengar, Head, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Ropar, said, “IITRPR has introduced an exciting opportunity for the IITM BS program graduates to seamlessly transition into a full-time, on-campus MS degree.

This one-year program does not require GATE or any entrance exam, making it accessible to those who maintain a good academic record, he said.

This initiative underscores the parity between online and offline degrees, offering IITM BS graduates a prestigious pathway to further their education, he said.

New Standards

The collaboration between IIT Ropar and IIT Madras is poised to set new standards in academic partnerships.

With a well-defined roadmap and specific areas of engagement, both institutions are committed to achieving excellence in research, education, and social impact.

This MoU establishes the groundwork for a series of initiatives that will benefit both organizations and serve as a benchmark for future collaborations.

Salient Features

The Salient features of this collaboration include:

Ø Credit transfer from in-person courses at IIT Ropar: IIT Madras BS (Data Science) students who meet the eligibility criteria may complete their credit requirements by taking courses at IIT Ropar, facilitating an exchange of academic resources and expertise.

Ø MS admission pathway: IIT Madras BS (Data Science) graduates who achieve a specified CGPA will be eligible for direct admission to the MS program at IIT Ropar without the need for GATE scores.

Ø Access to IIT Madras BS (Data Science) courses for IIT Ropar students: The MoU also enables IIT Ropar UG students to study courses on data science and programming that are offered in the IIT Madras BS program, thus providing equitable opportunity for all students to gain these cutting edge skills.

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Ø Additional student exchange programs, internship opportunities, and other collaborative initiatives will also be supported.